Another Spiderman Project Runs Into Trouble — This Time on Broadway

“Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” might now be called “Spider-Man Turn On the Refund.”

The expensive production on Tuesday announced what many theater industry insiders have already known: the show won’t start performances until later this year. The production had waited months to announce that previews won’t start on February 25 as previously planned. A statement released by the production said that Ticketmaster is refunding tickets or allowing exchanges for a new opening date sometime in 2010.

The Broadway show, directed by Julie Taymor with music from U2’s Bono and The Edge, ran into delays last year due to cash-flow problems. When Michael Cohl, former chairman of concert promoter Live Nation Inc., was brought in as lead producer in November, he said the musical would open in 2010 but he would not specify a date. Attempts to reach Cohl on Tuesday were unsuccessful. Spokesmen for the show would not say when “Spider-Man” will now open.

Scott Mallalieu, president and co-owner of Group Sales Box Office, a New York ticket broker, said he’s been eagerly awaiting news on a new opening date. “We kept getting word from the producers they’d be sending out information and they didn’t send out information, so we’re having a lot of clients getting upset,” said Mallalieu, who expects to offer refunds or exchanges for about $1 million in “Spider-Man” tickets in the coming days.

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